Top Free Medical Billing and Coding Programs

Interested in getting into medical billing and coding but want to do so in the most affordable way possible? Then you might be interested in learning about free medical billing and coding programs.

While these programs won’t typically give you a certification or a degree, they are a great way to explore the field of medical billing and coding and learn if it’s the right career path for you.

To help you choose the right free medical billing and coding program for you, we've compiled a list of the best options for 2024. 

What are Medical Billing and Coding Programs?

First off, what is a medical billing and coding program? It is a specialized educational program designed to train students to accurately assign medical codes and manage the billing processes within healthcare settings. 

These programs are primarily targeted at people who are interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare industry but prefer to work in administrative and support roles rather than direct patient care. 

Medical billing and coding professionals play a crucial role in ensuring that healthcare providers receive proper reimbursement for the services they offer, as well as maintaining accurate and up-to-date patient records.

Common curriculum in medical billing and coding programs includes a range of topics, including:

• Medical terminology
• Basic anatomy and physiology (for assigning codes)
• Medical coding systems and guidelines
• Insurance reimbursement
• Electronic health records (EHRs)
• ICD-10-CM and current procedural terminology (CPT) coding exercises
• Claim processes and follow-up

Medical billing and coding programs vary but typically include one of the following pathways:

1. Online classes (these typically don’t result in a certificate, diploma, or degree but may provide helpful resources and basic information)
2. A four to 12-month certificate or diploma program
3. A two-year associate degree

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What Are Free Medical Billing and Coding Programs?

Free medical billing and coding programs are typically short courses or one-off classes that may provide helpful introductory education and resources to get you started on the right foot. Most of these programs do not result in a certificate, diploma, or degree. 

If you want to explore a career in medical billing and coding, these free courses may be a great place to start. Read on to find the right free medical billing and coding program for you. 

9 Best Free Medical Billing and Coding Programs

Here are nine free programs to help you get started in your medical billing and coding career. 

1. Introduction to Medical Coding Course, Absolute Medical Coding Institute (AMCI)

• Tuition: Free
• Program Length: Eight weeks
• Accreditation: None
• Application Deadline: Students can access at any time at their convenience
• Contact Info: 
  • Phone: 1-878-999-8660
  • Contact Form 
  • Website
• Online Options Available? Yes 

The AMCI course on introductory medical coding stands as a self-contained program encompassing teachings on fundamental medical coding, as well as medical terminology and anatomy. AMCI is a medical coding institution offering comprehensive training, lectures, and exam prep tools to prepare for medical coding certification exams.

This course may benefit students interested in exploring a medical coding career and those in need of a refresher course at a beginner's level in medical coding.

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2. Basics of Medical Billing & Coding Online Course

• Tuition: Free
• Program Length: Students own pace
• Accreditation: None
• Application Deadline: Learners can access anytime
• Contact Info: Website
• Online Options Available? Yes 

This course is a great way to learn about the basics of medical billing and coding at your own pace without any cost. What you're getting with this course is a shorter version of the company’s Fundamentals of Medical Billing Course. 

This course offers over 50 video lessons to watch. It also contains 45 important medical office forms and around 200 pages of materials for you to download and keep. This course does not provide any certification upon completion.

3. Udemy’s What is Medical Billing and Coding?

• Tuition: Free 
• Program Length: 1 hour 
• Accreditation: None
• Application Deadline: Students can sign up to take the course at any time
• Contact Info: Website
• Online Options Available? Yes 

This is a 1-hour introductory course on medical billing and coding. Nearly 30K people have taken this course, and the program has an average of 4.6 out of five stars.

Course takers learn about medical coder and biller tasks, diagnostics coding and procedural coding, and how to gain work experience.  

This free course offers online video content. However, there is no certificate of completion or instructor Q&A. If you are interested in medical billing and coding but are unsure of some of the tasks that may be required of you, this may be a great place to start.

4. Learn Medical Billing in One Hour: Dr. Chrono, YouTube

• Tuition: Free
• Program Length: About 1 hour
• Accreditation: None
• Application Deadline: You can access this video anytime
• Contact Info: Website
• Online Options Available? Yes 

This is a helpful one-hour YouTube video that provides a basic understanding of medical billing. Over 100 viewers commented about how helpful the content was, with several stating that the video provided a very good explanation of the topic. 

If you are trying to decide if medical billing and coding is a career calling for you, this video may help provide some guidance! Keep in mind that before watching the video, it may be helpful to learn some of the abbreviations and vocabulary for billing so you can follow along easily. The company has its own medical billing and medical records platform. 

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5. How to Become a Medical Biller & Coder in 6 Months or Less Masterclass

• Tuition: Free
• Program Length: At your own pace
• Accreditation: None
• Application Deadline: Anytime
• Contact Info: Website
• Online Options Available? Yes 

YouTuber and medical billing expert Victoria Moll offers several free YouTube videos geared toward helping people who want to be medical coders but don’t know where to start. Her videos are friendly, informative, and packed full of helpful information about how to get started in your career.

Moll’s medical coding masterclass aims to help future medical billers and coders enter the profession without student debt or needing a college degree. She teaches common pitfalls to avoid, what employers are looking for in their candidates, and the most important things you must have on your resume, just to name a few. 

6. Alison Diploma in Medical Coding and Billing

• Tuition: Free
• Program Length: 15-20 hours
• Accreditation: None
• Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
• Contact Info: Website
• Online Options Available? Yes 

This medical coding and billing diploma course, published by Advanced Learning, offers a free course for those interested in handling medical coding and billing tasks. The course dives into the importance of obtaining the appropriate codes to ensure that insurance companies accurately reimburse for the various types of healthcare. 

There are 12 modules in this course.  Some of the topics covered include:

• An introduction to medical coding and billing 
• Medical terminology
• Anatomy and physiology
• CPT coding systems
• Medical billing and claims
• Compliance and ethics

After finishing each course, there is an assessment at the end to test your knowledge. Upon completion, learners earn their Certified Professional Coder (CPC) diploma/certificate.

7. AAPC American Association of Professional Coders

• Tuition: Free
• Program Length: N/A
• Accreditation: None
• Application Deadline: N/A
• Contact Info:
  • Contact Form
  • Phone: 1-800-626-2633
  • Website
• Online Options Available? Yes 

AAPC is a major hub for medical billing and coding resources, including study materials, prep courses, and webinars on medical billing and coding topics. The AAPC also offers several certification options for medical billers and coders.

Most certifications and courses available must be purchased. However, the website does provide free, valuable articles and audio tools that can help those starting out in their medical billing and coding careers.

8. Introduction to Medical Billing and Coding,  Medical Billing and Coding Certification (MB&CC)

• Tuition: Free
• Program Length: At the student's own pace
• Accreditation: None
• Application Deadline: Students can access at any time at their convenience
• Contact Info:
  • Email: contact@support.medicalbillingandcoding.org
  • Phone: (281) 846-3081
  • Website
• Online Options Available? Yes 

MB&CC offers a six-section video series on medical billing and coding to help learners start their careers. This series can be helpful to learn most aspects of the medical billing and coding field, including:

• Free downloadable PowerPoint presentations
• Vocabulary lists 
• Real-world sample problems, and 
• Self-study quizzes

This program comes with a free downloadable e-textbook and a medical billing and coding school directory if you decide to take your education to the next level.

9. CertificationCoaching.Org (CCO.US)

• Tuition: $0 for free exams and live events
• Program Length: At your own pace
• Accreditation: None
• Application Deadline: N/A
• Contact Info: Website
• Online Options Available? Yes 

CCO.US is an excellent medical billing and coding resource for full courses, exam preparation, practice exams, and CEU Credits. However, most of the resources on this site are paid. You can sign up to get alerts for live CCO events, as well as news and sale alerts.

CCO.US does offer a few free resources for individuals who sign up to be on their email list, such as the following practice exams:

• Free CPC Practice Exam
• Free CRC Practice Exam
• Free ICD-10-CM Practice Exam
• Free ICD-10-CM Guidelines Practice Exam

FAQs

• Can you self-study for medical billing and coding?

  • Yes, self-studying for medical billing and coding is possible. However, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind, such as making sure you have the correct educational resources. Self-studying requires discipline and self-motivation, and it is important to create a study schedule and stick to it to ensure consistent progress.

• What is the shortest medical billing and coding program?

  • Free classes or courses may take as little as an hour but don’t result in a certification, diploma, or degree. Many paid programs can be completed in as little as a few months, typically ranging from 4 to 9 months. These programs are often designed to provide a basic understanding of medical billing and coding principles and prepare students for entry-level positions in the field.

• What is the best medical coding certification for beginners?

  • The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) is often considered the best for beginners.

• Is the medical coding exam hard?

  • The difficulty of a medical coding exam can vary based on individual factors such as prior knowledge, experience, and how well you prepare for the exam. Many students report success on their medical coding exams when they adequately prepare and dedicate enough time to studying for them.

• Is medical billing and coding worth it?

  • Yes! Medical billing and coding can be worth it for many people due to career stability in the healthcare industry, the potential for remote work, and the opportunity to enter the healthcare field with relatively short training.

 

Related Articles

Interested in learning more about medical billing and coding? Check out these other MBC resources:

• How to Become a Medical Biller and Coder
• Medical Billing and Coding Salary Guide
• What is Medical Billing and Coding? Codes & Fundamentals
• Medical Billing and Coding Programs